The Meadowlands will celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8.

by Debbie Little

The Red Mile’s Emily Ratcliff will sit alongside Jessica Otten on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set as part of The Meadowlands’ celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), presented by Clinton Tractor, on Saturday (March 8).

The Big M faithful have become familiar with Ratcliff over the last three years as a co-host of the Hambletonian broadcast on CBS, but she said she’ll be breaking new ground at the East Rutherford mile oval next weekend.

“The extent of my experience at The Meadowlands is the Hambletonian broadcast,” Ratcliff said. “So, I’ve never actually been on the live feed at The Meadowlands, so this will be my first experience on The Meadowlands broadcast.”

Ratcliff, who grew up in the business in Anderson, IN, said she has had the opportunity to work with Otten on several occasions.

“But we never actually sat down on a set together until this past fall at The Red Mile,” Ratcliff said. “And it was truly just two girls talking and enjoying harness racing. It was a breath of fresh air, and was my first opportunity to work with her like that, and we really just had a good time… So, we’ve kept in touch since then, and she asked me a couple weeks ago [to co-host at The Meadowlands for IWD] and I’m honored to do it.”

Prior to joining The Red Mile as the director of sponsorships in February of 2024, Ratcliff spent 12 years at her hometown track, Hoosier Park, where she is still involved on a modified basis.

Ratcliff said she has also done some work with the third member of The Big M’s IWD broadcast team, Jenna Otten.

“With Jenna, it’s so cool to see, because you can totally tell that she’s young, hungry, wants to learn, and she’s in her infancy,” Ratcliff said. “So, the fact that she’s reaching out and wanting help and taking criticism is wonderful to see.”

While Jessica and Ratcliff will host the night’s live broadcast, Jenna will be supplying interviews from the paddock.

Brand new for the 2025 edition of the International Women’s Day event at The Big M is the addition of a female race caller. Rideau Carleton Raceway announcer Melissa Keith is traveling in from Canada and will be the fourth member of the all-female broadcast team.

This is the third straight year that the International Women’s Day celebration will be presented by Clinton Tractor, and some women-owned businesses will also be involved. Terry Tauffner’s Corporate Images, Inc. will again be supplying the blankets, and Mackenzie Strange’s Mackenzie Made will be doing some gifts for the competitors.

The highlight of the evening will once again be a race for female drivers.

According to Jessica, the event has always been popular, and this year was no exception.

“I only posted it once, and I do have the 10 slots filled,” Jessica said in early February.

The final field is: Lauren Harmon, Leslie Joyce, Marianna Monaco, Vicky O’Mara, Alexandra Sarkine, McKenzie Sowers, Vicki Stratton, Sarah Svanstedt, Lauren Tritton and Christina Wyant.

In addition to the ladies’ race, there will be videos and interviews throughout the night with some of the sport’s top female trainers, drivers, and caretakers.

Ratcliff said that having a night like this one is necessary.

“I think, obviously, women in the sport have continued to make strides, continue to do big things, and just as in any other arena or area it’s important to recognize those, so I think the fact that we host a day where we can spotlight and highlight things like that is extremely important,” Ratcliff said. “And secondly, also to inspire. So, the fact that some young girl may be watching the broadcast and be able to see young women driving in a race, or young women on the broadcast and things like that, it may inspire somebody to jump in and explore the sport, which is exactly what we need. So, that part of it is important to me.

“Whatever your path may be, whatever direction you feel pulled towards, whether it be back in the barns taking care of these champion animals and getting to show up for them, whether it be driving, or on the broadcast or on the marketing side, I mean, I think it’s important to highlight that kind of stuff, because we need more of that.

“It’s important to know that the work that you’re putting in is being recognized, and I think that’s kind of what International Women’s Day kind of embodies as a whole.”